Love at First Glance Read online

  “I would go anywhere to meet you, Lady Lillian. Just name the time and place.”

  Wrapped in the covers, Lillian rolled over and wrote down the time and the place on a notepad that was sitting on the nightstand on her side of the bed.

  “I really must get going. I will see you in two days.”

  Johnathan lay in the bed while he watched Lillian get dressed.

  “I do hate to see you go, my love. How will I manage to contain myself for the next two days?”

  She looked into his deep green eyes. “I should think that a man of your caliber can surely contain himself for a few more days.”

  Lillian tried to be serious when she spoke, but they both burst out laughing.

  “I love a woman that can be playful. I find it very attractive.”

  Lillian could not stop blushing. “Two days seems like an eternity to not hear your voice.”

  Johnathan just sat back and admired her. “Would you like me to walk you back to the market, my love?”

  Lillian was standing in the mirror attempting to fix her hair the way that it was when she arrived in the village.

  “Actually no. I think it best if I come back alone. I have my maid waiting for me.”

  Johnathan shook his head. “I can’t believe how quickly all of this has happened between us. I just want to know that it’s real.”

  Lillian nodded. It was real. At least as far as she was concerned. But she wanted to play it safe. She wasn’t sure how to explain what was happening between the two of them.

  “Until Friday, my love,” she said as she blew him a kiss.

  She didn’t want him to get out of the bed and kiss her lips. It would be the thing that would make her stay even longer. So she rushed out of the front door before he could touch her.

  Lillian could barely make it down the street. Her legs were weak and her head was swimming. She wasn’t sure what she’d just gotten herself into.

  But she was sure that she was falling in love with Johnathan Bailey.

  Chapter 8

  The ride back the manor was quiet. Lillian replayed every moment of her rendezvous with Johnathan Bailey. Every touch, every kiss. She could still smell his scent on her. She sat silently in the back seat of the car next to Elizabeth. She was about to burst at the seams.

  Lillian couldn’t even be sure that this wasn’t all just a dream. She barely waited for the car to come to a stop in the driveway. Their chauffeur came around and let Elizabeth and Lillian out of the car.

  Lillian grabbed Elizabeth’s hand. “Come with me to the gardens. I want to bring some new flowers up to my room this evening.”

  “Good day, Milady,” the chauffeur said tipping his hat.

  “Thank you ever so much, Mr. Russell. Will you please tell my parents that I am off in the garden with Elizabeth and that I will be in in time for dinner?”

  “Yes, Milady.”

  Lillian pulled Elizabeth along as they made their way down to the gardens. The sound of the ducks in the pond and the fountain sprouting water immediately relaxed Lillian. They walked around to a bench in the topiary garden and took a seat.

  Elizabeth stared at Lillian anxiously. “So, I can see the glow of love on your face.”

  Lillian paused. “A true lady doesn’t kiss and tell, but I think I am falling in love with him.”

  “So quickly?”

  When the words escaped Lillian’s lips, she knew how absurd it sounded. How could she possibly be falling in love with a man that she barely knew?

  “I’m not totally sure, but there is a passion between us that is undeniable. I’ve never felt this way about any man before. So I’m quite sure that this dizzying feeling that I have is love.”

  Elizabeth shrugged. “I’ve never been in love really myself to be the judge. I believe you if you say so. But do you really know this Johnathan Bailey? Where is he from?”

  “He was born here in England. His parents are Brits, but he was reared in America. He says that his family travelled a lot when he was a child.”

  “Do you think you can trust him?”

  Elizabeth posed a wonderful question.

  “He offered that we should spend some time getting to know one another. And get this, he has the same philosophy on love as I do. He doesn’t believe that it’s forced. He believes that two hearts must come together, it would be on their own time and that it would be right.”

  “Well the two of you seem on one accord in that instance. I wish you the best, Lady Lillian. Johnathan Bailey may just be the one for you.”

  Lillian got up from the wrought iron bench and began strolling the garden. Elizabeth followed as well.

  “Please don’t breathe a word of any of this to my family. I will pick the perfect time to let them know about Johnathan.”

  Elizabeth nodded. “Your secret is safe with me, Milady.”

  Lillian was happy that she had someone to confide in about Johnathan. There was no way that she could contain all that she felt for him. She had to express it somehow to someone and she knew that no one in her family would understand what she was feeling. So she resigned to count down the days until she met with her lover again.

  She wasn’t sure how all of this would work out. All she knew was that she’d fallen for him so quickly and so deeply it had to be love. And she was willing to keep that feeling in her life at any cost.

  Chapter 9

  Friday did not come soon enough. Each moment she waited, Lillian felt like she was losing her mind. Partly because she had this amazing secret that she could not tell anyone about. Mostly because her body was on fire waiting to be extinguished by Johnathan.

  At night, she lay in bed, her mind replaying her and Johnathan in his bed. The way he touched her was so tender and the way that he whispered in her ear just what she needed to hear was soothing.

  It was amazing that she’d found this man that knew just what she wanted and just what she needed. In the few hours that she’d spent with him, he managed to treat her like a princess. It was something that most of the men that she’d been made to court by her mother hadn’t managed to do.

  She knew that she should tread carefully though. Things were happening so fast. But was it possible to turn off feelings and slow them down?

  This was the love that she sought for so long. Or was it something else?

  Lillian wasn’t sure what was happening to her. She found herself daydreaming even more so as she sat at meals with her family. When she thought of Johnathan, she got a queasy feeling in her stomach. She didn’t have anything else to measure her feelings by. She knew for certain that her mother and her father couldn’t have felt the way that she felt about Johnathan.

  She never saw them kiss or hold hands. She’d never seen them show any affection towards each other. Her mother showed affection towards her children, but that was as far as it went.

  Lillian knew that she would have to figure love out for herself. Whatever it was that she was feeling with Johnathan would eventually come to light. And her family would just have to understand that she was going to explore those feelings and that Johnathan could quite possibly be the man that she would marry.

  But she knew that she didn’t know much about him except what he’d told her. She didn’t know what he did in his everyday life. She would definitely have to meet his family before considering marriage. That would mean a trip to America. She’d never been to America and never considered going at all until Johnathan said that was where he was from. Maybe now would be a great time to travel. Maybe he would invite her to come out and visit with him and his family.

  She craved Johnathan in her very soul and being. How could this be?

  Lillian got up and dressed that morning, not saying much to Elizabeth. She didn’t want to share her feelings much with anyone. Johnathan was her secret that she wanted to hold dear to her heart. And in London, she had a little more ability to be seen with him in public than she did in Lanchester.

  Lillian boarded the train to London al
one. She’d made trips to London in the past and no one thought any different of this trip. She went often to the family tailor and to soak of the city and make a few social calls.

  This time, she did arrange to stop by the tailor for a few dresses, just in case anyone inquired, but she planned to spend the rest of the time in Johnathan’s arms. She would catch the train back out to Lanchester in the early evening.

  Watching the countryside through the windows, Lillian smiled to herself. She felt like a woman for the first time in her life.

  The train ride was not a long one and she was thankful for that. She’d given Johnathan the time and place to meet her and she hoped that he would be there on time.

  London was usually pretty dreary, but today, the sunshine peaked through the clouds. Lillian took that as a sign that today was lucky for her and Johnathan.

  She took a taxi to their meeting spot. Lillian took a seat to wait for her lover. As she watched the people outside enjoying the day, she saw a family with their children running carefree. Could that quite possibly be her one day with Johnathan?

  Maybe she was moving too fast. This was only their third encounter and here she was thinking about marriage and children.

  She sighed to herself. “Slow down, Lily. Slow down.”

  “Talking to ourselves are we?”

  Lillian turned to see Johnathan walking up behind her. She jumped up and hugged him tightly.

  “Oh Johnathan, these past few days have been almost unbearable without you.”

  He stared his beautiful woman in her brown eyes. “You my dear have been almost impossible to live without.”

  Their kisses came in a flurry. Neither of them could control themselves. Right there in public, Johnathan kissed Lillian as if his life depended on it.

  She was out of breath and feeling faint. Then she remembered that they were standing in the middle of the street kissing in public. Lillian shyly pulled back.

  “Johnathan, we are in the middle of the street.”

  “I know that,” he said as he cuddled her even closer. “Remember, I’m American. I don’t really care about all of that proper behavior stuff.”

  He kissed her again and she melted into him.

  “How are we going to spend our day?” she asked, trying to change their focus.

  The couple began walking, Lillian following Johnathan’s lead.

  “I have a lunch planned for you. Then a few other surprises before I have to let you leave me.”

  They were arm and arm as they walked. Johnathan reached in his coat pocket and pulled out a long stemmed rose.

  “I know that you mentioned that you love gardens and flowers. I can’t compete with the garden you have at home, so I bought you one rose to show my affection and my love for you. Eventually, I will buy you enough roses to create a garden of them for you.”

  Lillian blushed at the gesture. “It’s beautiful.”

  They spent the morning on a carriage ride around downtown London, then they had lunch at a local pub. Lunch at a pub was not something that Lillian would normally do. She was not used to socializing with commoners, but she agreed to it just to be with Johnathan. It turned out to be a wonderful time.

  They were taking a stroll along the river when she remembered her afternoon appointment with the tailor.

  “I surely can’t forget this appointment. If my parents find out that I didn’t go, there will be all sorts of questions about how I spent my time in London for the day.”

  “Well then we will go.”

  Lillian put her hands against Johnathan’s chest. “I can’t have you go in with me. The tailor has been the family’s tailor for a very long time. I don’t want anyone asking questions just yet. Not until we are ready to reveal our love to the world.”

  Johnathan shoved his hands in his pocket. “Whatever the lady wants, the lady gets. I will wait for you though.”

  “Perfect.”

  They made it in good time to the tailor. Lillian was fitted for her dresses and the appointment went off without a hitch. Johnathan waited for her at a pub on the next street.

  When she was finished, she went over to meet Johnathan.

  He saw her coming as he stared through the windows.

  “Do I finally get the chance to spend some time alone with you, Milady?”

  “I would love nothing more. But where will we go?”

  “My family has a home very close to here. We can walk there if you’d like. It’s such a beautiful day.”

  “I would love that.”

  They walked arm and arm along the streets of London until the happened upon a brick home with lovely flower boxes in the windows.

  “Your home is beautiful.”

  “Thank you. It’s actually my mother’s home. She stays here whenever she comes to London. So beware. It has a woman’s touch to it,” Johnathan said jokingly.

  They stepped inside and Lillian was immediately comfortable. It was not luxurious, but it was quaint. She loved it. It seemed like the type of place that a woman could really relax away from the cares of the world.

  She immediately began to look around. There were pictures of an attractive woman and a man standing on a busy street.

  “Are these your parents?”

  Johnathan walked over to where Lillian was standing.

  “Yes, it is. They are just married in that picture. My parents are wonderful people. I’d love for you to meet them one day.”

  “That would be lovely.” Lillian continued to look around. Doing so helped her feel closer to Johnathan and feel like she was beginning to learn more about him.

  “How long do I have with you?” Johnathan asked wrapping his arms around Lillian.

  “I have to catch the seven thirty train back to Lanchester. My parents will be expecting me.”

  “Of course they will. And I will make sure that I have you back on that train. Such precious cargo.”

  Johnathan held her hand in his, pulling her into his broad chest. Lillian looked up into his sparkling green eyes and suddenly felt safe with him.

  It wasn’t long before they gave into their desires. It was almost impossible to just stand there and not be wrapped in each other’s arms.

  Lillian went in for the first kiss. It alarmed her that she made the first move. She just didn’t want to waste any time.

  Johnathan kissed her with all of the passion inside of him. Her lips were soft and pillowy.

  “I find myself falling for you more and more each day, Lillian. It seems impossible to do that when we are just meeting.”

  “I understand what you mean. But I’m willing to see where this leads. I want to be with you Johnathan.”

  He nodded and led her over to a spot right in front of the fireplace hearth. “Please have a seat my darling.”

  She did so as he stoked the fireplace, lighting a fire. He walked over to the bar area and poured them each a glass of champagne.

  “I don’t normally drink,” Lillian commented.

  “Nothing between us is normal, my darling Lily. Indulge me.”

  She took the glass and sipped on the champagne. She finished the first glass and asked for another.

  Johnathan obliged. “Lillian. I have to tell you something.”

  “Anything,” she said as she lay there in front of the fireplace, feeling warm inside and out.

  “I have to go back to America shortly. But I will be back for you.”

  Her heart dropped. “So suddenly?”

  “Well, my love. My trip was always planned. Meeting and falling in love with you was not.”

  Lillian sat her glass down. “I’m not sure what I should say or do. I want a bit more time with you.”

  “Time is something no human has enough of. I want more time with you as well. But I must go home for a brief period of time. You see, my parents fund my lifestyle in exchange for me watching out for their homes over here in England.”

  “Really? So you don’t work. You just travel at leisure and enjoy the fruits of
your parents’ labor?”

  “Something like that.”

  Lillian nodded. “Well, okay. If that suits you, who am I to say anything. From one trust fund child to another.”

  The fire crackled in the hearth. Lillian took the last sip of her champagne and sat the glass down next to her.

  “Would you ever consider having a travel companion?” She wanted to ask just in case he was willing to say yes.

  Johnathan stroked the skin along her waist, his hand gently touching Lillian from the small of her back to the cusp right under her shoulders.

  “I would love to, but this time wouldn’t be the right time. We’ve just met and I’m not sure if we are at the point where we should be meeting each other’s parents. Are we?”

  Lillian shook her head. “No. Not yet. You are right. Maybe I was being too forward. We have plenty of time to do that. I should slow down.”

  Johnathan swallowed her words with his kisses. “We have been going full speed ahead. I’m not sure we can slow down with what we have.”

  Those were the words that Lillian wanted to hear.

  “Besides. If I whisk you off to America, I want to properly ask your father the right way.”

  He was a man after her own heart.

  “That would be lovely. Thank you for being such a gentleman.”

  He kissed her again. “I’m not sure that I can be a gentleman much longer.”

  Johnathan undressed her slowly at first, then he became more hurried. He wanted nothing more than to feel her body under his and be inside of her until they became one.

  This time, Lillian was not as scared. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. She allowed him to undress her and she did the same to him.

  There were no words necessary between them. The passion between them was unspeakable and all they wanted to do was indulge in one another for the time that they had together.

  The sound of their kisses and their moans filled the room. There was no other sound except the crackling of the fireplace. They concentrated on each other and making their love last for the moments that they had to share together.

  Lillian allowed Johnathan to enter not only her body, but her entire being. He felt like a slice of heaven and every stroke brought her closer and closer to what she thought was love. She was falling for him more than she knew.